Improvement in life-preserving satchels



B. B. dALBSSANDRO. Life-Preserving Satchel.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENVENUTO BENEDETTO DALESSANDRO, OF ROME, ITALY.

IMPROVEMENT IN LlFE-PRESERVING SATCHELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 205,617, dated July 2, 1878; application filed December 11, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, BENVENUTO BENEDETTO DALESSANDRO, of Rome, in the Kingdom of Italy, havcinvented an Improved Life-Preserving and Traveling Satchel or Purse, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to a satchel or purse composed of two parts. On one side is an ordinary traveling-satchel for the reception of money, valuables, spirit-flask, and other necessaries, and on the other it forms a float or life-buoy. On pulling up a brass ring at the upper part of the satchel and attached to a strap it escapes and sets free a spring, which opens out around the said strap a cylinder of water-proofcloth or india-rubber. This cylinder, distended by the spring, is immediately filled by air entering through a tube of brass or india-rubber, which being closed by a suitable stopper or valve the buoy is ready to be attached to the person.

If so desired, the above-mentioned cylinder may be inclosed in a second cylinder or sheath, forming a protective covering.

011 falling into the water the wearer remains floating with the head and shoulders above the surface in a vertical position, which position may be modified at will, according to his knowledge of swimming.

The bulk and weight of this apparatus are only that of an ordinary traveling-satchel, made more or less large, according to the corpulence of its intended wearer, its form and general details being varied at will.

Figure 1. of the accompanying drawings is a front or end view of the apparatus closed. Fig. 2 is a back view of the same. Fig. 3 represents the apparatus distended, the upper part cutout to show the catch M. Fig. 4 is an interior view of the same.

In these figures, A is the purse or satchel, formed of caoutchouc, waterproofed leather or tissue, or other suitable material; B, the water-proof cylinder, which, as above stated, may, if so desired, be inclosed in an outer cylinder or protective sheath; 0, a brass ring attached to the elastic band I), and passing over the catch M to close the apparatus; E, tube of brass or caoutchouc for admitting the air to the cylinder B; H, stopper of the same. If so desired this stopper may, as above stated, be replaced by any suitable valve arrangement operating automatically for the admission and retention ot'the airin the cylinder B. s L is a belt, by means of which the apparatus ifittaclmd to the body; N,-brass hook for securing the ring 0 of the hand-strap S when the cylinder is distended 5 R, distending-spring of the cylinder B T, maintaining-spring of the same; P, linen band or ledge overlapping the cylinder B when closed to protect its folds.

What I claim is The combination, with the traveling-satchel and the extensible compartment, of the protecting ledge or flap P, adapted to inclose and cover said compartment when folded, and the retaining elastic bands D, rings 0, and the catch M, all constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as and for the purposes specified.

B. B. DALESSANDRO.

\Vitnesses:

F. .MENNONS, J r., FELIcE VLAVA,

Clerks t0 llfcssrs. rlfcmzons (f; 00.,

Patent Solicitors, Paris. 

